Ethical Aspects of Enforced Medical Treatment in Patients with Psychiatric Illness

Abstract

Caring for patients who lack decision-making capacity raises a host of ethical challenges. These challenges may be amplified when a patient's lack of capacity is related to serious mental illness. In this article, we suggest an approach to the care of psychiatrically ill patients who are unable to make reasoned medical decisions. Special consideration is paid to the question of when it is appropriate to override a patient's treatment preferences. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2021;51(3):118–122.]